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As we know, it's getting (and has been for a while) pretty hard to find good rubber for the factory "+" wheels. I'm looking to replace the "Solus" something or other tires I have now and would like some opinions/experiences from those of you who may know first-hand. I really like the factory wheels, and while a set of 15x7s would be awesome, I don't particularly want to spend the money for both wheels and tires, nor would it look as good (to me) as the +s.
I have read conflicting reviews of the Federal SS595s in 205/60R13, but they are my current front-runner. Is there anything else currently (or very soon-to-be?) available that would be recommended for an essentially daily-driven (in the summer) FB?
The Vredenstein tires are excellent ( at least back in the day ). They are being reissued now and carried by Coker and I think tirerack carries them. They are not cheap.
I also found some RWL tires over in the UK, don't have the link handy but I found them on ebay I think, if you are looking for RWL.
I saw the Vredensteins on TireRack - I've never heard of them so I wasn't quite sure what to think. They certainly are pricey (for a 13" tire) - they're about on-par with the R-comps listed. Are they really that good compared to the federals?
The federals are used as a racing tire by the Legends race series. I think it's their approved rain tire (opposed to running slicks). The Vredensteins are a street tire, I would say above average all season. Certainly better than your Kuhmos, but not spectacular. There's always the Toyo R888 if you want maximum grip, but not recommended for rainy weather street driving.
The tire to be on the lookout for is going to be the rerelease if the Yokohama Advan. It'll be more sporty than the Vredensteins, but not an R compound track only tire like the Toyo R888. Not sure if/when we'll get it state side.
Thanks - good insight! I forgot about the re-relased Yokohamas, read about them a while ago but the weren't over here yet so I sort of dismissed it. I wonder what the odds are of them coming to the US at all, I can't imagine the cost to internationally ship a set of tires if they don't (not to mention trying to buy them). The 185/70R13s seem promising from that lineup.
I've certainly been temped by all the r-comps, but it does rain here sometimes and I occasionally find myself out in it - not to mention how quickly they'd wear on the highway.
Here you go. I think they are pretty good for general driving. Been playing with the air pressure to try to get a better steering feel. Could be psychological but my steering wander at dead center seems worse with these that it did with the stock sized tires. Running 28 PSI F+R.
Here you go. I think they are pretty good for general driving. Been playing with the air pressure to try to get a better steering feel. Could be psychological but my steering wander at dead center seems worse with these that it did with the stock sized tires. Running 28 PSI F+R.
Not psychological,it's real. While the wider,grippier tire increases cornering power and handling in general they also exaggerate the on center dead,numb feel these cars can have with the steering gearbox they have. This can happen on any car when you increase the tread width,just more noticeable on 1st gen RX7s.
This condition can be very much minimized with a correctly adjust steering box and making sure car alignment specs are where they should be,particularly toe in,which should be set at 1/16". 1st gens are particularly sensitive to this spec,much outside of this spec leads to wonder steer,wander complaints. It should be noted that anytime you deviate from oe equipment size wheels/tires you magnify any deficiencies in steering gear and suspension. Your tie rod ends,pitman arm and idler arm need to be 100% tight,good case here for upgrading to the Moog idler arm-even if your stock idler arm is new or has new bushings-the Moog is that much better in eliminating any flex in steering gear,it firms up steering linkage sufficiently that along with previous items mentioned really improves steering response.
The only downside,albeit temporary is the new idler arm until several hundred miles are put on car after install will result in a "heavy" steering feel until the idler arm is broken in.
Considering the light weight of these cars,it truly is a lifetime unit,it will never wear out. It has grease fittings on both ends that will insure that and should be greased periodically for maintenance but more because of its proximity to the exhaust manifold(more so with headers). The heat cooks the grease in the idler arm over time,new grease can be pumped in expunging the old grease which can be wiped off. The exhaust heat is also responsible for wearing out the stock idler bushings which is a wimpy design to begin with.
Those look great, how are they on wet roads? Mine is a DD and we get a lot of rain. I have Michelins on now and they are excellent, but too skinny.
I don't drive it much in the rain so no real experience there. Others have said that they are not great when cold and also not great in the wet. In the dry warm the grip is *really good*.
Originally Posted by GSLSEforme
Not psychological,it's real. While the wider,grippier tire increases cornering power and handling in general they also exaggerate the on center dead,numb feel these cars can have with the steering gearbox they have. This can happen on any car when you increase the tread width,just more noticeable on 1st gen RX7s.
This condition can be very much minimized with a correctly adjust steering box and making sure car alignment specs are where they should be,particularly toe in,which should be set at 1/16". 1st gens are particularly sensitive to this spec,much outside of this spec leads to wonder steer,wander complaints. It should be noted that anytime you deviate from oe equipment size wheels/tires you magnify any deficiencies in steering gear and suspension. Your tie rod ends,pitman arm and idler arm need to be 100% tight,good case here for upgrading to the Moog idler arm-even if your stock idler arm is new or has new bushings-the Moog is that much better in eliminating any flex in steering gear,it firms up steering linkage sufficiently that along with previous items mentioned really improves steering response.
The only downside,albeit temporary is the new idler arm until several hundred miles are put on car after install will result in a "heavy" steering feel until the idler arm is broken in.
Considering the light weight of these cars,it truly is a lifetime unit,it will never wear out. It has grease fittings on both ends that will insure that and should be greased periodically for maintenance but more because of its proximity to the exhaust manifold(more so with headers). The heat cooks the grease in the idler arm over time,new grease can be pumped in expunging the old grease which can be wiped off. The exhaust heat is also responsible for wearing out the stock idler bushings which is a wimpy design to begin with.
This is a great explanation! Thanks. I was holding off on the Moog idler arm because I had a new OEM one installed about 7K miles ago when I got the car. And, interestingly, the old part's bushing was completely missing. Makes sense in light of the heat from the exhaust. I've also been holding off adjusting the steering box, I know I gotta get to it and I've been saving people's posts on that from the forum and elsewhere.
Some good news - looks like TireRack is listing the BFG Radial T/A in 205/60R13 again! The bad news is that it's about $145/tire right now. Certainly not a track tire, but a very nice option, especially for someone looking for RWL.
Yep, thats my plan as well. I would use the RWL for going to meets and shows and put the 15 in perf rubber on for drives like DGRR or lap days and such.
Well, I can't find the Federal 595s in 205/60R13 anymore! They were all over ebay a few months ago, and naturally I put off buying them... back to the drawing board, it seems. Hopefully they come up again, something's got to be better than the "Solar 4XS" tires I've got on there now!
Some good news - looks like TireRack is listing the BFG Radial T/A in 205/60R13 again! The bad news is that it's about $145/tire right now. Certainly not a track tire, but a very nice option, especially for someone looking for RWL.
So does anyone know where you can actually get the 205/60R13 Federal ss595s? They had been all over Ebay this past winter, but naturally when I went to order a set about a month ago they seem to have disappeared from existence and I still can't find them for sale anywhere - anyone know something I don't?
Some good news - looks like TireRack is listing the BFG Radial T/A in 205/60R13 again! The bad news is that it's about $145/tire right now. Certainly not a track tire, but a very nice option, especially for someone looking for RWL.
So, does anyone know anything about the Firestone Firehawk 900 tires which I'm seeing start to pop up in 205/60R13? Supposedly a 300AA treadwear, these have potential, but I can't really find any information on them (especially in english).
Other than ebay, this is the only place I've seen them. Anyone have any ideas/experience? If the money frees up (long story but I'm getting screwed from a shop selling the federal 595s, will post details later if they don't own up) I may be a guinea pig and get a set to see how these are. https://simpletire.com/firestone-p20...02000100-tires
